The Syrian Revolution General Commission said Friday (December 9th) that at least eight Syrians were killed in clashes with government forces in Homs, Deraa, Hama and Rif Dimashq.

In a statement broadcast on al-Arabiya television, the opposition coalition said, "Syrian forces opened machine gun fire on demonstrators. Snipers affiliated with thugs were seen on rooftops opening fire on demonstrators."

Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jihad Maqdisi said Friday the Syrian government received the Arab League's response to a message sent by Syria's Foreign Minister Walid al-Mouallem on signing the observer mission protocol for Syria.

"The Arab League's response to the message is still under consideration by the Syrian leadership," Maqdisi told Syria's official news agency SANA. He did not elaborate on the content of message.